Play & Plant
Toy Design
A biodegradable toy that transforms as the child grows older.
Project Type
Individual, Studio Class
Time
15 weeks
Semester
5, Fall 2022
Approximately 80% of all toys end up in landfills, incinerators, or the ocean.
Tansy Robertson-Fall
How might we design a children's toy that reduces toy waste?
Research
Literature Insights
Product design can reduce the impact on hotspots discovered in the product's life cycle using knowledge-based solutions and heuristics.
One of the proposed design solutions to improve product disposal was the use of biodegradable materials.
Sources:
1. Sustainable product design: A life-cycle approach
Contributors: Xiang Zhang, Lei Zhang, Ka Yip Fung, Bhavik R. Bakshi, Ka Ming Ng
2. Circular Economy in the Chemical and Materials Industry
Contributors: The Global Kaiteki Center at Arizona State University,
Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service (ASU), The Sustainability Consortium (ASU), Luminosity Lab (ASU), The Ohio State University (OSU)
Research
Parent Interview Insights
parents involve their child in outdoor yard/garden maintenance
parents say their child maintain the skills they learn from toys
parents say their child enjoys spending time with nature
Children lose interest in toys quickly
Children enjoy unstructured learning
Durability and developmental benefits are the main considerations when purchasing toys
Research
Hemp Biodegradability Experiment
I tested:
Biodegradability rate of 2 weights of hemp fabric
Plant growth ability in hemp fabric
Start date: 9/18/2022
End date: 11/18/2022
Methods:
-Indoor planter on counter
-Indoor planter in window
-Outdoor planter
Each planter has:
-Control seeds
-2.8oz hemp square with seeds -4.6oz hemp square with seeds
Results
Biodegradation
Early Concept Ideation
"Play & Plant" Concept
In the early years the toy will serve as a pretend play toy where the child plants soft toys into a planter.
When the child grows up, they can plant the soft toys which will biodegrade and grow into plants.
Form Development
Large Planter Concepts
Large scale toys tend to last longer in the household, so I ideated some large scale planter forms
Single Planter Concepts
These were meant to be simple and portable, allowing for more users to have access to the product
Multi-Planter Concepts
These were made to be slightly larger than the single planters, but more engaging with more components
Selected Form
Stage 1: Ages 3-5
Open lid and collect toys
Pretend "plant" the soft toys
Play around with the different pieces
Store toys in planter when play is over
Stage 2: Ages 6+
Disassemble fabric "soil" and place at the bottom of the planter
Gather gardening supplies
Fill planter with toys and soil
Water and watch them grow
Reuse planter
Prototyping
The latest prototype
Kid approved :)
Play & Plant is a toy that aims to educate children on sustainability and reduce toy waste
In the early years of the child's life, the toy will serve as a pretend play toy where the child plants soft toys into a planter through a piece of fabric that acts as soil. The soft toys are constructed with 100% hemp textile and stuffed with hemp offcuts and chia seeds.
When the child grows up, they can disassemble the "soil" and plant the actual soft toys in their planter. After 15-30 days, the soft toys will biodegrade, and the seeds inside will sprout. After the plant cycle is complete, the planter can be reused.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Specs
Overall LWH
18.50" x 10" x 3.5"
Planter Boxes LWD
8.5" x 5" x 3.375"
Soft Toys
3"-4"
Materials
Hemp fabric / thread
Bamboo Plywood
Non-Toxic Paint
Beeswax Sealant
As designers, our work not only affects the people who use and manufacture our products, but the planet too.
Now more than ever we need to think about the impacts our designs have throughout their entire life cycle.
If progress is going to be achieved, we need to focus on the future, and be the change we want to see.
SaloneSatellite 2023
In 2023, I had the opportunity to exhibit Play & Plant at SaloneSatellite in Milan as part of the ASU Future Nexus Exhibit.
I am so grateful to have shared this concept with a global audience and hope it inspired others to think about the product lifecycle and how we can creatively utilize existing materials to become more sustainable.
Thank you to the incredible graduate students for all of your support during the prototyping process and for safely transporting Play & Plant to Italy!
